Must-see summer movies

The biggest blockbusters landing in Bahrain soon

By
Time Out Bahrain staff
28 April 2014

For films buffs, summer means one thing – blockbusters. And in Bahrain, a summer movie is a pastime particularly dear to us, an air conditioned cinema often the most tempting relief from the heat. Get excited with our expert guide to the biggest and best movies to look forward to in coming weeks.

NeighborsStars: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne

This raucous comedy pits a married couple (Rogen and Byrne) and their newborn baby against the boisterous fraternity (led by Efron) who move in next door. A conflict ensues between the two parties, with tactics growing increasingly underhand and ever-more hilarious. Directed by Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek), the film is rumoured to hit on an unexpected stroke of genius. Expected to release across the GCC May 8

GodzillaStars: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston

One of cinema’s biggest and most popular monsters is back to terrorise the human race once more. The nuclear monster rises again after decades lying dormant in the Japanese sea. Presumed dead, Godzilla comes back bigger and badder than ever, unleashing its ferocity on the likes of Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston. The humans throw everything they can at the irrepressible monster, played by British motion-capture genius Andy Serkis. Expected to release across the GCC May 15

It has been three years since the last X-Men film, which saw all the mutant heroes together. With an all-star mutant cast, this film aims to satisfy waiting Marvel fans, as the old guard are suited up again and this time joined by a crew of new generation X-Men. Professor X sends Wolverine back in time to change the past in a bid to preserve the future for humans and mutants alike. Expected to release across the GCC May 22

MaleficentStars: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley

Angelina Jolie is always top draw at the cinema, and this summer she plays the villain Maleficent, in a dark Disney production based on the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. It explores the until-now untold tale of the evil witch Maleficent, the self-proclaimed Mistress of All Evil, who, driven by power and revenge, puts a curse on the king’s new-born daughter Aurora. As the princess Aurora (Elle Ganning) grows, the witch realises the child she has cursed may be the cure for all wars of the land. Expectations for this Disney gamble are not currently high, with many predicting it will be the Mouse Factory’s biggest flop of the year. Expected to release across the GCC May 29

This sequel picks up five years after Hiccup and his dragon companion Toothless’ last adventure, where they brought peace between dragons and Vikings on the island of Berk. Now that having a dragon is the latest in-thing on the island, Hiccup and Toothless have taken to exploring new places. But soon they make a discovery that sees dragons and Vikings pitted against one another once more.Expected to release across the GCC June 5

Edge of TomorrowStars: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt

From the director of The Bourne Identity, expect drama and action aplenty in this futuristic sci-fi flick. Tom Cruise plays Lt Colonel Bill Cage, a soldier caught up in a war against a sophisticated alien race attempting to annihilate the world. Through direct contact with an alien, Cage dies, but wakes up to relive the same day again. With a War of the Worlds-meets-Groundhog Day feel, the film sees Cage learn more about the aliens with every repeated day.Expected to release across the GCC June 5

22 Jump StreetStars: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill

Fresh from his Oscar-baiting role in The Wolf of Wall Street, Jonah Hill returns to his old comedy stomping ground in this sequel to 21 Jump Street, which sees Hill back buddying up with Channing Tatum to play a pair of underachieving undercover cops. In 22, the duo are sent back to college to find and infiltrate a crime gang.Expected to release across the GCC June 19

A musical biography of ’60s American hitmakers Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, this movie charts the band’s musical rise, challenges and clashes on and off stage. The film is directed by Clint Eastwood, who proved a real flair for music biopics with 1988 triumph, Bird, chronicling Charlie Parker’s turbulent times. Expected to release across the GCC June 19

Muppets Most WantedStars: Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais

The loveable Muppets return to cinemas with their distinctive brand of kid and adult-friendly humour. As ever, they steal the show from their human co-actors, and this new adventures sees the Henson creations caught up in a jewel heist caper in Europe. British comedian Ricky Gervais plays Dominic Badguy (very subtle), who lures Kermit and co. into his dastardly scheme. Expected to release across the GCC July 10

Transformers: Age of ExtinctionStars: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz

This fourth instalment of the Transformers mega-franchise breaks away from the previous storylines of Sam Witwicky and Bumblebee, instead entering a time when the world no longer needs morphing robots to save it from the evil Decepticons. But just when they’re ready to relegate the Transformers to the scrap heap, the Autobots rise against some impressive foes.Expected to release across the GCC July 24

Dawn of the Planet of the ApesStars: Gary Oldman, Andy Serkis

Set roughly a decade after 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, this latest instalment in the sci-fi drama reboot sees the leader of the genetically advanced primates, Caesar, prepare to go to battle against humanity. The human survivors of the last film threaten the smart chimps and Caesar rallies his growing army to fight for the dominance of Earth. The film is helmed by Cloverfield director Matt Reeves, so expect plenty of moody suspense and action. Expected to release across the GCC August 7

Guardians of the GalaxyStars: Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana

A Marvel adventure that introduces a rag-tag looking mix bag of intergalactic outlaws that call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy. There’s plenty of special effects and comedy woven through the action scenes. Fans of Marvel’s The Avengers will love the character play and superhero action, though those unfamiliar with the comics may find it an odd pick for adaption.Expected to release across the GCC August 14

Think Like a Man TooStars: Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union

The summer season is dominated by action films but one rom-com makes the list. Think Like a Man Too, is the sequel to the popular 2012 film about a group of couples and their relationships. This time the couples are back together and heading to Las Vegas for a wedding. Comedian Kevin Hart brings the laughs as a series of events look set to spoil the big day. Expected to release across the GCC from June 20

Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesStars: Megan Fox, William Fichtner

One of the last big releases of the sweaty season is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Anyone who grew up in the ’80s will remember the popular kids TV animations that told the stories of four turtles with some sharp martial arts skills, and their rat mentor Master Splinter. The 2014 big budget movie sees the turtles surface from their subterranean home and fight for justice in the streets of New York. Positively retro-tastic.Expected to release across the GCC September 4